Intelligent control devices

Abstract

A control device operates to selectively provision power. The control device can be implemented as part of an electrical apparatus, such as a computer, television, VCR, hairdryer or other device which operates on AC power. The control device can be also implemented as part of a common power outlet or breaker system typically found in businesses and households.

1. A controller for use with an electrical receptacle capable of selectively delivering power to an electrical apparatus, the controller for providing a control signal, wherein the control signal is not equal to an operating frequency of the electrical apparatus, the controller being configured to utilize a leak current to provide power to the controller when the electrical apparatus is not turned on, the controller comprising:
 an input for receiving a first signal through an outlet from the electrical apparatus and for transmitting a second signal, 
 a filter configured to be in electrical communication with a prong of a plug, the filter being configured to filter the first signal received from the electrical apparatus, and 
 a control output for outputting the control signal upon receipt of the first signal from the filter; and 
 a relay in electrical communication with the control output of the controller, the relay for selectively providing power to the outlet from a power source upon receipt of the control signal from the controller. 
 
   
   
     2. The controller of  claim 1  wherein the controller further comprises operability to send a close control signal to the relay operating to close the relay and thereby enabling the electrical receptacle to receive power from the power source. 
   
   
     3. The controller of  claim 2  wherein the controller operates to send the close control signal when the input/output of the controller receives a handshake signal including a proper class and/or identification code. 
   
   
     4. The controller of  claim 1  wherein the controller further comprises operability to send an open control signal to the relay operating to open the relay and thereby preventing the electrical receptacle from receiving power from the power source. 
   
   
     5. The controller of  claim 4  wherein the controller operates to send the open control signal when the input/output of the controller receives a signal that does not include a proper class and/or identification code. 
   
   
     6. The controller of  claim 1  wherein the controller and relay further comprise a programmable logic device (PLD) including coded instructions comprising a class and/or an identification code. 
   
   
     7. The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is a high pass filter. 
   
   
     8. The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is a bandpass filter. 
   
   
     9. The controller of  claim 1  further comprising an inverter for converting AC power to DC power. 
   
   
     10. The controller of  claim 1  further comprising a tamper resistant mechanism configured to prevent unauthorized manipulation of the electrical receptacle, the tamper resistant mechanism configured such that when tampered with severs a trace line of the controller. 
   
   
     11. A controller for use with an electrical receptacle capable of selectively delivering power to an electrical apparatus,
 the controller for providing a control signal, the controller comprising:
 an input terminal for receiving an input signal through an outlet from the electrical apparatus and for transmitting an output signal, wherein the input signal is greater than or less than an operating frequency of the electrical apparatus, 
 a filter in electrical communication with a prong of a plug, configured to filter the input signal received from the electrical apparatus, and 
 a control output for outputting the output signal upon receipt of the input signal from the filter; 
 
 an internal power supply configured to provide power to the electrical receptacle when the electrical apparatus is not in use; and 
 a relay in electrical communication with the control output of the controller, the relay for selectively providing power to the outlet from a power source upon receipt of the output signal from the controller. 
 
   
   
     12. The controller of  claim 11  wherein the controller is configured to send a close control signal to the relay operating to close the relay and enable the electrical receptacle to receive power from the power source. 
   
   
     13. The controller of  claim 12  wherein the controller operates to send the close control signal when the input of the controller receives a handshake signal including at least one of a proper class and identification code. 
   
   
     14. The controller of  claim 11  wherein the controller further comprises operability to send an open control signal to the relay operating to open the relay and prevent the electrical receptacle from receiving power from the power source. 
   
   
     15. The controller of  claim 14  wherein the controller operates to send the open control signal when the input of the controller receives a signal that does not include at least one of a proper class and identification code. 
   
   
     16. The controller of  claim 11  wherein the controller and relay further comprise a programmable logic device (PLD) including coded instructions comprising a class and/or an identification code. 
   
   
     17. The controller of  claim 11  further comprising an inverter for converting AC power to DC power. 
   
   
     18. The controller of  claim 11 , wherein the filter is a high pass filter. 
   
   
     19. The controller of  claim 11 , wherein the filter is a bandpass pass filter. 
   
   
     20. An electrical receptacle capable of selectively delivering power to an electrical apparatus comprising:
 an outlet configured for delivering power from a power source to the electrical apparatus; 
 a controller configured to utilize a leak current to provide power to the controller when the electrical apparatus is not turned on for providing a control signal, the controller comprising:
 an input terminal for receiving a first signal through the outlet from the electrical apparatus and for transmitting a second signal, wherein the first signal is greater than or less than an operating frequency of the electrical apparatus, 
 a tamper resistant mechanism configured to prevent at least one of the following: unauthorized manipulation of the controller and re-cording of an identification code stored in a controller memory; 
 a first and second filter in electrical communication with a prong of a plug, configured to filter the first signal received from the electrical apparatus, and 
 a control output for outputting the second signal upon receipt of the fist signal from the first and second filters; and 
 
 a relay in electrical communication with the control output of the controller, the relay for selectively providing power to the outlet from the power source upon receipt of the second signal from the controller.